San Jose's first and largest park is known for its natural, rugged beauty.

by Contributor

In Short
Nestled within the Alum Rock Canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Range, Alum Rock Park is California's oldest city park, dedicated in 1872. This 720-acre city park maintains approximately 13 miles of trails, including six miles of horse trails and three miles of bicycle trails. In some spots, mineral water bubbles up from sulfur spings--a reminder of the park's past as a nationally known health spa in the early 1900s.

07/18/03

Good Rustic Park

by jamesacoberly

- Great place for hiking

- Decent for bikes / horses

- Lots of nature (common: squirrels, blue jays, lizards, deer; occasional: rattle snakes; also: natural mineral springs)

- Volleyball pits

- BBQ areas

- Creek

- Many hiking trails

- Scenic picnic areas

- Lots of parking

• Pros: Very Scenic, Variety of Trails, Youth Science Inst
• Cons: Increasingly Crowded, Poison Oak, Often Closed